Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-15
GOLD AND GILT.
How My First Love Proved to Be
the True Love.

SAO AoO ASSOs
When promised my dying mother
that l would look after Benny until he
was eighteen years old, ! meant what
said. / had only the income from
$4,000 and my own earnings to de-
pend on. but we managed to get along
very we'll
l could not break my word to
mother. even when Fred Dare asked
me to be his WIFE Ben must live with
us if married at all Fred grumbled
and said he must have me alone or not
at all, and when l was firm went off in
u rage, and saw him no more for a
week. He was very penitent and
anxious for my favor. But somehow
l never felt the same toward Him
again. and, though he pressed me to
name the wedding day. l kept putting
him off and putting him of. for felt a
little worried.
The months went on. One morning
/ received note from John Arnold
John and had never met since l told
him. more than a year before, that his
love for me was hopeless; but often
and often had felt and had cause to
know that from distance he watched
over me like true and faithful friend.
The note said:
my DEAR Miss MARGARET: There are ru-
mors abroad that Simpsons Bank is in diff
culties and may suspend 1 am sure you Will
- N ,,sa,
affairs, and believe that it is as your sincere
friend l advise you to withdraw your money
from their hands at once. Otherwise you may
lose il. Sincerely yours,
John ARNOLD"
put on my bonnet and started for
Simpsons that moment. The money
was paid to me. though not without
some murmuring and hesitation, and
with my whole fortune in my little
sachel and 4 heart glowing with graft
tude to John in my bosom l started
for home. Before had gone many
steps l became afraid. The excitement
of the last hour. the suspense l had
endured while the money was being
paid to me. the danger of utter ruin
in which l had unconsciOusly stood.
and the narrOwncSs of my escape from
it all-all these had sorely tried my
nerves; and now all at once a fear
came upon me. Was it safe for me to
carry SO much money? Would it be
safe for me to take it with me home?
Might not some one have watched and
followed me? What if l should be
robbed? These thoughts unnerved me
altogether A sudden resolve came to
me. John had saved the money-John
should keep it for me; and, retracing
my steps, l fastened in the direction of
his house.
They were at dinner Johns store
=aGjoined the house in which he lived
with his widowed mother. In rushed.
without stopping even to be an
nOunced, and laid the sachel down
upon the table beside him.
There it is!'' l cried. Thanks to
YOU, who have saved itr' And then
the sight of him and the sudden
change in his face at sight of me over
came me. l burst out crying violently
rs Mrs. Arnold took me kindly in her
arms.
''She has been overexcited and is
historical. she said to him. gently.
leave her to me. John. I'll keep her
here this afternoon. and you can see
her presently" So he went away.
That evening as l lay on the sofa.
suffering from severe headache, he sat
by me and told me the news.
The bank has gone-the with
edrawal of Your money finished it; they
suspended payment this afternoon.
Thank God. You are safe. however,
put out my hand to him. Thank
God, indeed, and thank you!" l said.
He put my hand to hi, lips and kissed
it-kissed it tenderly. warmly, again
and again-,hen dropped it and arose
and walked to the window with
heavy. bitter sigh.
Poor John! He loved me still as
much as he did four years ago. when
he asked me to be his wife. was a
poor girl then. for it was before poor
auntie died and left me her little fort
une. John had just set up for him.
self in business. Il can keep a wife
now," lie said. sand perhaps help
your mother. with Benny. too" All,
he was always generous
Why couldn't / respond to such true
affection? He had a right to expect a
favorable answtI for l had accepted